Preview	Image (JPEG) (apron) apron40.jpg | Download (1MB) Available under University of Tasmania Standard License.
Preview	PDF (apron) apron40.pdf | Download (6MB) Available under University of Tasmania Standard License.
Preview	Image (JPEG) (apron detail) apron40detail.jpg | Download (1MB) Available under University of Tasmania Standard License.
Preview	PDF (apron detail) apron40detail.pdf | Download (5MB) Available under University of Tasmania Standard License.

Abstract

Photograph of apron made from floral cotton sewn by Marjorie Bligh in the 1940s. This gay floral apron, with its diamond-hemmed panels, resembles Marjorie’s famous aprons fashioned from men’s ties. However, this one was made in the 1940s from oddments of cotton dress fabric. In 2011, it was purchased from Marjorie Bligh by writer Danielle Wood, who says: “Though it is a treasure, I have no intention of putting the apron away for best – I am going to wear it, especially when baking cakes.”(Danielle Wood). “Marjorie Bligh is Tasmania’s queen of the household scene. Often referred to as “Australia’s Mrs Beeton” or “Tasmania’s Mrs Beeton”, she was born Marjorie Pearsall, in 1917, in the Tasmanian midlands township of Ross. In her self-styled career as a housewife superstar, she married three times and produced six books on cooking, home economics, craft, history and gardening. She published her signature household manual under all three of her married names: Marjorie Blackwell, Marjorie Cooper and Marjorie Bligh. A pioneer recycler, Marjorie has for several decades been renowned for her spirited campaign against useful resources being poured into landfill. Famous for never wasting a thing, she has converted thousands of used pantyhose and plastic shopping bags into reusable items. It has long been rumoured that Marjorie was an inspiration for Barry Humphries’ Dame Edna Everage.
Marjorie lives in Devonport in a house that incorporates a small museum where she displays her handcrafts, scrapbooks and other treasures. She is 94 years old.” [Danielle Wood 2011]

Item Type:	Image
Authors/Creators:	Bligh, Marjorie Alfreda Willis
Keywords:	marjorie, bligh, tasmania, housewife, superstar, Devonport, Campbell Town, Ross, domestic, cook, crafts, handicrafts, home, hints, handy, home-made, recycled, re-used, knitting, crochet, sewing, gardening, helpful,apron, cotton, floral, diamond pattern
Collections:	Photograph Collection > Marjorie Bligh Collection Photograph Collection
Additional Information:	Photographs taken by Gillian Ward from exhibition 'Housewife Superstar', Morris Miller Library, November - December 2011.
Item Statistics:	View statistics for this item

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